Moist smokeless tobacco product for oral usage having on a portion of the outer surface at least one friction reducing strip that provides texture during use

ABSTRACT

A moist smokeless tobacco product for oral use comprises a pre-portioned piece of tobacco material semi-dissolvable, a super-hydrated membrane coating comprising a soluble, non-cross-linked component and an insoluble, cross-linked component, and a texture component. The tobacco material comprises moist smokeless tobacco. The texture component reduces the slipperiness and/or increases the friction of the moist smokeless tobacco product when placed in a user&#39;s mouth.

SUMMARY

Provided is a moist smokeless tobacco product for oral use. The moistsmokeless tobacco product comprises a semi-dissolvable, super-hydratedmembrane coating. The semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coatingcomprises (a) a soluble, non-cross-linked component; and (b) aninsoluble, cross-linked component. The moist smokeless tobacco productalso includes one or more texture components selected from the groupconsisting of (a) a powder component comprising powders having at leastone linear dimension of about 10 mesh to about 500 mesh included withinand/or on an inner and/or an outer surface of the semi-dissolvable,super-hydrated membrane coating; (b) at least one polymer layer on anouter surface of the semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coatingcomprising at least one water-dissolvable coating; (c) at least onefiber, cord and/or strip within and/or on an inner and/or an outersurface of the semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating; and(d) at least one pre-cross-linking agent for adding tackiness to thesemi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating. and a shaped piece oftobacco material contained within the semi-dissolvable, super-hydratedmembrane coating. Preferably, the tobacco material comprises moistsmokeless tobacco. The one or more texture components reduce theslipperiness and/or increases the friction of the moist smokelesstobacco product when placed in a user's mouth. Preferably, thesemi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating has a moisture contentof about 10% to about 50%.

Preferably, the fibers, cords and/or strips have average dimensionsranging between about 0.01 mm and about 1.0 mm. Also, the fibers, cordsand/or strips are randomly and/or uniformly oriented within, underand/or on the semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating. Thefibers, cords and/or strips are affixed to the moist smokeless tobaccoproduct with a food-grade gum and/or gel adhesive. The fibers, cordsand/or strips comprise a material selected from the group consisting ofvegetable fibers, fruit fibers, tobacco fibers, herb fibers, syntheticpolymers, natural polymers, and combinations thereof.

Also preferably, the at least one polymer layer is flavored orunflavored. The at least one polymer layer comprises at least onepolymer selected from the group consisting of modified starch, dextrin,pullulan, pectin and combinations thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the soluble, non-cross-linked componentcomprises a non-cross-linkable polymer selected from the groupconsisting of starch, dextrin, gum arabic, guar gum, chitosan,cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol, polylactide, gelatin, soy protein, wheyprotein and combinations thereof. The insoluble, cross-linked componentcomprises a cross-linking agent and a cross-linkable polymer selectedfrom the group consisting of alginate, pectin, carrageenan, modifiedpolysaccharides with cross-linkable functional groups and combinationsthereof. Preferably, the cross-linkable polymer is a chemicallycross-linkable polymer.

Preferably, the moist smokeless tobacco product can include at least oneadditive in the semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating and/orsaid tobacco material. The additives are selected from the groupconsisting of flavorants, sweeteners, preservatives, nutraceuticals,antioxidants, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, botanical extracts,humectants, colorants, chemesthetic agents and combinations thereof.

The tobacco material can further comprise a supplemental amount oftobacco substitute material selected from the group consisting of fruitfibers and particles, vegetable fibers and particles, plant fibers andparticles and combinations thereof to the tobacco material. Preferably,the tobacco material is completely disintegrable in the mouth. Thetobacco material comprises moist smokeless tobacco having a moisturecontent of about 35% to about 65%. The tobacco material comprises moistsmokeless tobacco having a water activity of about 0.85 aw to about 0.86aw.

In an embodiment, the powder component comprises one or more of naturalplant fibers, water-insoluble synthetic fibers, particles or fibers ofwater-insoluble hydrophilic biopolymers, unencapsulated tobacco powder,encapsulated tobacco powder, fine cut tobaccos, fibers or particles ofsilica, and dry flavor powders included within and/or on the innerand/or an outer surfaces of the semi-dissolvable, super-hydratedmembrane coating. The powder component is included in an amount of about0.01 g to about 5.0 g.

In one embodiment, the bulk density of the super-hydrated membranecoating is about 1.0±0.2 g/cm³. The shaped piece of tobacco material hasa length of up to about 1.5 inch, a width of up to about 0.75 inch and aheight of up to about 1 inch, and the shaped of tobacco material weighsabout 0.5 g to about 3.0 g.

Also provided is a method of making a moist smokeless tobacco product.The method includes shaping tobacco material into a shaped piece oftobacco material; forming a semi-dissolvable super-hydrated membranecoating comprising a soluble, non-cross-linked component; and (b) aninsoluble, cross-linked component on the shaped piece of tobaccomaterial to form a coated piece of tobacco material; and adding one ormore texture components selected from the group consisting of (a) apowder component comprising powders having at least one linear dimensionof about 10 mesh to about 500 mesh included within and/or on an innerand/or an outer surface of the semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membranecoating; (b) at least one polymer layer on an outer surface of thesemi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating comprising at leastone water-dissolvable coating; (c) at least one fiber, cord and/or stripwithin and/or on an inner and/or an outer surface of thesemi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating; and (d) at least onepre-cross-linking agent for adding tackiness to the semi-dissolvable,super-hydrated membrane coating and combinations thereof to form a moistsmokeless tobacco product having a textured coating.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a moist smokeless tobacco productwith a semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating having apowdered surface coating.

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a moist smokeless tobacco productwith a semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating having a secondcoating on an outer surface of the semi-dissolvable, super-hydratedmembrane coating.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a moist smokelesstobacco product with a semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coatinghaving a single fiber, cord and/or strip forming part of the outersurface of the semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of a moist smokelesstobacco product with a semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coatinghaving multiple fibers, cords and/or strips forming part of the outersurface of the semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a third embodiment of a moist smokelesstobacco product with a semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coatinghaving a thin fiber, cord and/or strip wrapped around the moistsmokeless tobacco product and forming part of the outer surface of thesemi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a moist smokelesstobacco product with a semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coatinghaving a powdered surface coating and multiple fibers cords and/orstrips forming part of the outer surface of the semi-dissolvable,super-hydrated membrane coating.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Moist smokeless tobacco products can include a wrapper and/or coatingand an inner filling material disposed within the wrapper and/orcoating. The inner filling material can comprise moist smokeless tobacco(MST). Such moist smokeless tobacco products allow the release offlavorants, juices, and/or chemesthetic components of the inner fillingmaterial by movement of saliva through the wrapper and into contact withthe inner filling material, diffusion of the flavorant and/orchemesthetic components into the saliva, and movement of the salivacontaining the flavorant and/or chemesthetic components to sensoryorgans in the oral cavity of the consumer, generally located on thetongue.

The wrappers of such moist smokeless tobacco products can be made ofpaper, cloth, or other porous sheet material intended to allow themovement of saliva through the wrapper, but insufficient to allowsignificant movement of filling material, such as tobacco shreds orparticles, through the wrapper and into the mouth. However, because thesaliva containing flavorant or chemesthetic components must move acrossthe wrapper twice, the wrapper can also effectively slow the release ofthese components to the oral cavity of the user. This can have anadverse effect on the timing of delivery of these components, as salivaretained within the wrapper develops higher concentrations of componentsthan it would contain if flow across the wrapper were more rapid. As aresult, pouch wrappers made of paper or fabric can be found by the userto provide initial dryness, reduced flavor, and impaired circulation ofsaliva. In addition, some users find the surfaces of the pouch productsto feel rough against the inner surfaces of the mouth.

Nevertheless, pouched products can provide desirable benefits in ease ofhandling, insertion/placement in the mouth, portion management, anddecreased initial “gritty” mouthfeel, when compared to MST products,such as chewing tobacco, that are not contained within a wrapper. A newproduct having a thin, smooth, high moisture content gel coating thatprovides good transfer of flavorant and/or chemesthetic components froman inner filling material to the sensory organs of the mouth via thesaliva would provide an alternative to a moist smokeless tobacco pouchproduct.

Moist smokeless tobacco products having a super-hydrated gel membraneare described in commonly owned U.S. Application Publication No.2008/0202533 A1, the entire content of which is incorporated herein byreference. It has been discovered that super-hydrated gel membranesproduced from biopolymers, while avoiding some of the disadvantages oftraditional pouch materials can be perceived as too slick or slippery tothe user, depending upon the water content of the gel membrane. Providedherein are portioned MST products having a textured, super-hydratedmembrane coating.

The portioned MST product described herein comprises a super-hydratedmembrane coating formed of one or more polymers and further comprising atexture component. Preferably, the texture component comprises one ormore of: (a) a powder component comprising powders having at least onelinear dimension of about 10 mesh to about 500 mesh included withinand/or on an inner and/or an outer surface of the semi-dissolvable,super-hydrated membrane coating; (b) at least one polymer layer on anouter surface of the semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coatingcomprising at least one water-dissolvable coating; (c) at least onefiber, cord and/or strip within and/or on an inner and/or an outersurface of the semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating; and(d) at least one pre-cross-linking agent for adding tackiness to thesemi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating and combinationsthereof.

As used herein, the terms “texture component,” “textured component,”“textured components” and “texture components” describe one or more of:(a) a powder component comprising powders having at least one lineardimension of about 10 mesh to about 500 mesh included within and/or onan inner and/or an outer surface of the semi-dissolvable, super-hydratedmembrane coating; (b) at least one polymer layer on an outer surface ofthe semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating comprising atleast one water-dissolvable coating; (c) at least one fiber, cord and/orstrip within and/or on an inner and/or an outer surface of thesemi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating; and (d) at least onepre-cross-linking agent for adding tackiness to the semi-dissolvable,super-hydrated membrane coating and combinations thereof as described indetail below. Thus, the super-hydrated membrane coating of the moistsmokeless tobacco product includes one or more of the texturecomponents, which provides a less slippery surface as compared tosuper-hydrated membrane coating and other gel coatings without a texturecomponent. Thus, the texture component provides increased friction,tackiness and/or roughness to the surface of the super-hydrated membranecoating.

As described herein, the one or more of: (a) a powder componentcomprising powders having at least one linear dimension of about 10 meshto about 500 mesh included within and/or on an inner and/or an outersurface of the semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating; (b) atleast one polymer layer on an outer surface of the semi-dissolvable,super-hydrated membrane coating comprising at least onewater-dissolvable coating; (c) at least one fiber, cord and/or stripwithin and/or on an inner and/or an outer surface of thesemi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating; and (d) at least onepre-cross-linking agent for adding tackiness to the semi-dissolvable,super-hydrated membrane coating can be used to provide a texturedsurface to the super-hydrated membrane coating so that the texturedsuper-hydrated membrane coating is not perceived as slick, shiny orslippery. However, due to the presence of the polymer in the membrane,the surface of the super-hydrated membrane coating remains relativelysmooth, avoiding the roughness sometimes experienced with paper wrappersof conventional MST or pouch products. The result is a surface that issmooth, but not slick, shiny or slippery, and that is textured todevelop coarseness and/or tackiness on the surface of the MST product,but does not feel rough in the mouth. Preferably, the surface of thetextured, super-hydrated membrane coating appears soft, wet, organicand/or natural, and is thus appealing to users.

Moreover, the use of fibers and/or particles made of different materials(or of different sized fibers and/or different sized particles made ofthe same materials) can provide different textures at differentlocations such that the surface of the MST product have multipletextures leading to a more pleasing mouthfeel experience for the user.In addition, the fibers and/or particles may contain flavorants, whichare released rapidly to the saliva due to the location of the fibersand/or particles at or near the surface of the membrane.

Preferably, the pre-portioned MST product having a texturedsuper-hydrated membrane coating is prepared from a multi-componentpolymer solution. In a preferred embodiment, a monolayer, textured,super-hydrated membrane coating can be used to enclose a portion ofmoist smokeless tobacco by coating the tobacco with a two polymersolution and a texture component in a single layer. In otherembodiments, the textured, super-hydrated membrane coating can includetwo or more layers. For example, the first layer can include thesuper-hydrated membrane coating. A powder and/or particle coating,fibers, cords and/or strips and/or a second water-dissolvable coatingcan then be added to the coated tobacco product to create surfacetexture and form a second layer. Alternatively, the super-hydratedmembrane coating can be pre-crosslinked by including a pre-cross-linkingagent in the coating solution to provide surface texture. Preferably,the single or multi-layer textured, super-hydrated membrane coating isthin, provides high moisture and good strength to maintain a cohesiveproduct during use, and reduces slipperiness as compared to coatings notincluding a texture component.

FIG. 1 illustrates a cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a moistsmokeless tobacco product 10 with a textured super-hydrated membranecoating 12. The textured super-hydrated membrane coating 12 includes afirst layer comprising a bicomponent coating that coats a portion oftobacco material 16. The bicomponent coating 12 includes a solublepolymer and an insoluble polymer, which may be the same or differentpolymer. The first layer can also include a texture component. In otherembodiments, the textured super-hydrated membrane coating also includesa second layer comprising a texture component, which may be the same ordifferent from the texture component added to the first layer.

Preferably, the tobacco material 16 is a molded portion of moistsmokeless tobacco (also known as moist snuff tobacco). In thisembodiment, the texture component is in the form of a powder component20 that can be incorporated in the super-hydrated membrane coating,placed under the super-hydrated membrane coating or form a second layeron at least a portion of the surface of the super-hydrated membranecoating 12.

Preferably, the moist smokeless tobacco product 10 is sized andconfigured to fit comfortably between the user's cheek and gum. Themoist smokeless tobacco product 10 may be formed in many shapesincluding, without limitation, spheres, rectangles, oblong shapes,crescent shapes, ovals, and cubes. In a preferred embodiment, the coatedtobacco product is rectangular and weighs about 2.5 g to 3.0 g.

The textured super-hydrated membrane coating 12 preferably creates aporous network of an insoluble polymer after the soluble componentdissolves in a user's mouth. Preferably, the first component is asoluble component that dissolves rapidly in a user's mouth such that thesecond component, which is preferably the insoluble component, remainsintact throughout use of the tobacco product.

Preferably, the soluble component is formed by a non-cross-linkablepolymer. Also preferably, the insoluble component is formed by achemically, cross-linkable polymer reacted with a cross-linking agent.

The polymers of the soluble component and insoluble component may benatural or synthetic. Preferably the polymers are hydrocolloids. Morepreferably, the polymers are polysaccharides.

In a preferred embodiment, the cross-linking agent is a monovalent metalion salt or bivalent metal ion salt.

Suitable non-chemically-cross-linkable polymers include, withoutlimitation, starch, dextrin, gum arabic, guar gum, chitosan, cellulose,polyvinyl alcohol, and polylactide.

Suitable chemically, cross-linkable polymers include, withoutlimitation, alginate, pectin, carrageenan, and modified polysaccharideswith crosslinkable functional groups. The preferred cross-linkablepolymer is alginate.

While, both monovalent and bivalent metal ion salts may be used,preferably a bivalent metal ion salt is used. Suitable bivalent metalion salts include, without limitation, calcium lactate and calciumchloride. Calcium lactate is preferred since it is approved for use infood products.

Alternatively, proteins, such as gelatin, zein, soy protein, riceprotein, and whey protein, can be used to supplement or replace thecross-linkable polymers that are cross-linked with monovalent andbivalent metal ion salts. The proteins slowly cross-link with phenolicsand/or aldehydes that are naturally occurring in plant material.

Once the soluble component of the coating dissolves, pores are createdin a polymer network through which the tobacco juices and flavors flow.Flavors and water are released into the user's mouth as the solublecomponent of the coating dissolves. The tobacco flavors and juices arethen released through the pores so that the flavor experience isseamless from beginning to end. In a preferred embodiment, the bulkdensity of the coated tobacco product is about 1.0±0.2 g/cm³.

Preferably, the pores, created when the soluble component of the coatingdissolves, are large enough to allow the unencumbered flow of juices,while remaining small enough to prevent shreds or particles of tobaccofrom traveling through the pores and into the user's mouth.

In a preferred embodiment, the super-hydrated membrane coating includingthe texture component encloses a pre-portioned tobacco material 16.Also, the super-hydrated coating allows the tobacco juices and flavorsto leach out of the coating, while still remaining intact to hold thetobacco within the coating through the duration of tobacco use. Thesuper-hydrated coating provides a soft compliant feel to the tongue andmouth tissues, while the texture component reduces slipperiness and/orincreases friction in the mouth.

Because the soluble component of the textured super-hydrated coatingdissolves quickly, the sensory experience associated with moistsmokeless tobacco use is rapid and unencumbered.

Once the soluble component of the textured super-hydrated membranecoating 12 dissolves or disintegrates, additional moisture and/orflavors are released into the user's mouth. Thereafter, the flavors andtobacco juices pass through the coating to provide an uninterruptedflavor experience to the user.

In a preferred embodiment, the textured super-hydrated membrane coating12 may be provided with a desired rate of dissolution of the solublecomponent of the coating by altering the proportion of the solublecomponent to the insoluble component. For example. by using more of thesoluble component, the super-hydrated membrane coating can be made moreporous than coatings having less of the soluble component therein.

In another embodiment, the textured super-hydrated membrane coating 12includes flavors, sweeteners, and/or a chemesthesis agent. The flavors,sweeteners and chemesthesis agents can be released upon dissolution ofthe soluble component of the textured super-hydrated membrane coating.If slow release of certain flavor additives is desired, such additivescan be incorporated in the insoluble component. Preferably, the releasedflavors enhance the oral sensorial experience of the tobacco productuser.

Preferably, the final moist smokeless tobacco product 10 weighs about2.5 to 3.0 grams. The weight is predominately based on the amount oftobacco material used since the weight of the textured super-hydratedmembrane coating is small as compared to that of the tobacco materialcontained therein. In an embodiment, the pre-portioned moist smokelesstobacco product may be up to about 1.5 inches long, up to 1 inch inheight, and up to ¾ inch in width. Preferably, the moist smokelesstobacco product 10 is flexible, compressible, and capable of conformingto the shape of the oral cavity.

Exemplary tobacco materials 16 that may be coated with a texturedsuper-hydrated membrane coating can include cut or ground tobacco. Thetobacco can have the composition and attributes of conventional moistsmokeless tobacco (also known as moist snuff tobacco).

Examples of suitable types of tobacco materials 16 that may be usedinclude, but are not limited to, flue-cured tobacco, air-cured, Burleytobacco, Maryland tobacco, Oriental tobacco, rare tobacco, specialtytobacco, reconstituted tobacco, agglomerated tobacco fines, blendsthereof and the like. Preferably, the tobacco material 16 ispasteurized. Some or all of the tobacco material 16 may be fermented.

The tobacco material 16 may be provided in any suitable form, includingshreds and/or particles of tobacco lamina, processed tobacco materials,such as volume expanded or puffed tobacco, or ground tobacco, processedtobacco stems, such as cut-rolled or cut-puffed stems, reconstitutedtobacco materials, blends thereof, and the life. Genetically modifiedtobacco may also be used.

Additionally, the tobacco material may also include a supplementalamount of vegetable or plant fibers or particles, such as particles ofshreds of lettuce, cotton, flax, beet fiber, cellulosic fibers, blendsthereof and the like.

In one embodiment, the tobacco material is completely disintegrable sothat once the soluble component of the coating dissolves and tobaccomaterial has disintegrated, a user may chew and ingest the remaininginsoluble component of the super-hydrated membrane coating so thatnothing remains in the user's mouth.

Preferably, the tobacco material comprises a majority amount of moistsmokeless tobacco having a moisture content of about 35% to about 65%and/or a water activity of about 0.85 aw to about 0.86 aw.

In an embodiment, additives, such as flavorants, sweeteners,preservatives, nutraceuticals, antioxidants, amino acids, minerals,vitamins, botanical extracts, humectants, colorants and/or chemestheticagents, can be included in the coating or within the tobacco material.

Suitable flavorants include, but are not limited to, any natural orsynthetic flavor or aroma, such as tobacco, smoke, menthol, peppermint,spearmint, chocolate, licorice, citrus, gamma octalactone, vanillin,ethyl vanillin, breath freshener flavors, cinnamon, methyl salicylate,linalool, bergamot oil, geranium oil, lemon oil, ginger oil,pomegranate, acai, raspberry, blueberry, strawberry, wolfberry,gooseberry, sea buckthorn, acai, pomegranate, boysenberry, cranberry,bourbon, scotch, whiskey, cognac, hydrangea, lavender, apple, peach,pear, cherry, plum, orange, lime, grape, grapefruit, butter, rum,coconut, almond, pecan, walnut, hazelnut, French vanilla, macadamia,sugar cane, maple, cassis, caramel, banana, malt, espresso, kahlua,white chocolate, clove, cilantro, basil, oregano, garlic, mustard,nutmeg, rosemary, thyme, tarragon, dill, sage, anise, fennel, jasmine,coffee, olive oil, sesame oil, sunflower oil, balsamic vinegar, ricewine vinegar, or red wine vinegar. Other suitable components may includeflavor compounds selected from the group consisting of an acid, analcohol, an ester, an aldehyde, a ketone, a pyrazine, combinations orblends thereof and the like. Suitable flavor compounds may be selected,for example, from the group consisting of phenylacetic acid, solanone,megastigmatrienone, 2-heptanone, benzylalcohol, cis-3-hexenyl acetate,valeric acid, valeric aldehyde, ester, terpene, sesquiterpene,nootkatone, maltol, damascenone, pyrazine, lactone, anethole,iso-valeric acid, combinations thereof and the like.

Suitable sweeteners include, without limitation water solublesweeteners, such as monosaccharides and disaccharides, such as xylose,ribose, sucrose, maltose, fructose, glucose and/or mannose.Polysaccharides may also be included, as well as sugar alcohols andnon-nutritive sweeteners.

Suitable chemesthetic agents include, but are not limited to, capsaicin,tannins, mustard oil, wintergreen oil, cinnamon oil, allicin, quinine,citric acid, and salt.

Suitable vitamins include, without limitation, vitamin A (retinol),vitamin D (cholecalciferol), vitamin E group, vitamin K group(phylloquinones and menaquinones), thiamine (vitamin B₁), riboflavin(vitamin B₂), niacin, niacinamide, pyridoxine (vitamin B₆ group), folicacid, choline, inositol, vitamin B₁₂ (cobalamins), PABA(para-aminobezoic acid), biotin, vitamin C (ascorbic acid), and mixturesthereof. The amount of vitamins can be varied according to the type ofvitamin and the intended user of the pre-portioned product. For example,the amount of vitamins may be formulated to include an amount less thanor equal to the recommendations of the United States Department ofAgriculture Recommended Daily Allowances. Absorption of the vitamins(particularly vitamin E and certain cobalamins) by the tissues of themouth can be enhanced through the inclusion of agents that increasepermeability of mucus membranes. Suitable agents includes fatty acids(e.g., oleic, palmitic and/or lauric acid).

As used herein, the term “nutraceuticals” refers to any ingredient infoods that has a beneficial effect on human health. Nutraceuticalsinclude particular compounds/compositions isolated from natural foodsources and genetically modified food sources. For example,nutraceuticals include various phytonutrients derived from naturalplants and genetically engineered plants.

Suitable minerals include, without limitation, calcium, magnesium,phosphorus, iron, zinc, iodine, selenium, potassium, copper, manganese,molybdenum, chromium, and mixtures thereof. The amount of mineralsincorporated into the pre-portioned moist smokeless tobacco product canbe varied according to the type of mineral and the intended user. Forexample, the amount of minerals may be formulated to include an amountless than or equal to the recommendations of the United StatesDepartment of Agriculture Recommended Daily Allowances. In anembodiment, minerals, such as iron and manganese can be chelated withpolyphosphates or EDTA to reduce their tooth staining potential.

Suitable amino acids include, without limitation, the essential aminoacids that cannot be biosynthetically produced in humans, includingvaline, leucine, isoleucine, lysine, threonine, tryptophan, methionine,and phenylalanine. Examples of other suitable amino acids include thenon-essential amino acids including alanine, arginine, asparagine,aspartic acid, cysteine, glutamic acid, glutamine, glycine, histidine,proline, serine, and tyrosine.

In another embodiment, the pre-portioned moist smokeless tobacco productcan include various active agents having antioxidant properties that candelay the ageing process, as food-grade ingredients. For example, theantioxidants can include: active ingredients that can be extracted fromGinkgo biloba, including flavonoid glycosides (“ginkgoflavonoids”), suchas (iso)quercitin, kaempferol, kaempferol-3-rhamnosides, isorhamnetin,luteolin, luteolin glycosides, sitosterol glycosides, and hexacyclicterpene lactones, referred to as “ginkgolides” or “bilobalides”; theactive ingredients that can be extracted from Camellia sinensis, such asgreen tea, including various “tea tannins,” such as epicatechol,epigallocatechol, epigallocatechol gallate, epigallocatechol gallate,theaflavin, theaflavin monogallate A or B, and theaflavin digallate; theactive ingredients that can be extracted from Vaccinium myrtillus, suchas blueberry, including at least 15 different anthocyanosides, such asdelphinidin, anthocyanosides, myrtin, epimyrtin, phenolic acids,glycosides, quercitrin, isoquercitrin, and hyperoside; the activeingredients that can be extracted from Vinis vitifera Olea europensis,such as the leaves of olive trees, include oleuropein. Many activeingredients identified from these and other plant sources associatedwith the neutralization of free radicals and useful for delaying theageing process are contemplated as suitable for inclusion in thepre-portioned moist smokeless tobacco product described herein.

Suitable botanical extracts can include the active ingredients ofTrifolium pratense, such as purple clovers (i.e., common purpletrefoils), including isoflavones or isoflavone glucosides, daidzein,genestein, formononentin, biochanin A, ononin, and sissostrin. Thehealth-promoting properties of compounds derived from Panax, a genusthat includes Ginseng, are well-established and may also be included inthe pre-portioned moist smokeless product. These and other botanicals,botanical extracts, and bioactive compounds having health promotingeffects are contemplated.

Suitable preservatives include, without limitation, methyl paraben,propyl paraben, sodium propionate, potassium sorbate, sodium benzoateand the like. The preservatives can be included in an amount of about0.001 wt % to about 20 wt %, and more preferably about 0.01 wt % toabout 1.0 wt % (e.g., about 0.1 wt %), based upon the total weight ofthe moist smokeless tobacco product.

Humectants can also be added to the tobacco material and/or coating tohelp maintain the moisture levels in the oral tobacco product. Examplesof humectants that can be used with the tobacco material and/or coatinginclude glycerol and propylene glycol. It is noted that the humectantscan also be provided for a preservative effect, as the water activity ofthe product can be decreased with inclusion of a humectant, thusreducing opportunity for growth of micro-organisms. Additionally,humectants can be used to provide a higher moisture feel to a driertobacco component.

In a preferred embodiment, the first layer of the texturedsuper-hydrated membrane coating is created via ionic cross-linking(outward-to-inward cross-linking1021238). Preferably, one or morepolymers are used to create the thin membrane, super-hydrated coatingover a portion of a tobacco material.

In another embodiment, the first layer of the textured super-hydratedmembrane coating is created via ionic cross-linking (inward to outwardcross-linking). Preferably, one or more polymers are used to create thethin membrane, super-hydrated coating over a portion of a tobaccomaterial.

In a preferred embodiment, a multi-component polymer coating containingat least two polymers is used so that the properties of the texturedsuper-hydrated membrane coating, such as the rate of dissolution and thesize and amount of pores in the coating, can be controlled.

The size of the pores, created when the soluble component dissolves, maybe altered by patterning the coating in such a way as to ensure thesoluble component is only in certain spots and in certain amounts sothat once the soluble component dissolves away the pores are of adesired size and in a desired location.

In the preferred embodiment, a portion of tobacco material 16 is shaped.The tobacco material may be molded in any shape to create a preform. Thetobacco material is preferably pressed or molded in a manner that doesnot remove moisture from the tobacco, e.g., for MST, using lightpressure to maintain about 35% to 65% moisture content of the tobaccomaterial and/or a water activity of about 0.85 aw to about 0.86 aw. Themoist smokeless tobacco can be molded in a large enough shape to providemoist smokeless tobacco users with a desired mouth feel of the product.Alternatively, the shaping of the tobacco material can be accomplishedby continuous low shear extrusion and cutting of the shapes with orwithout subsequent forming and/or shaping.

In an embodiment, the tobacco material is then dipped in a polymersolution containing at least two different polymers dissolved in water.In some embodiments, the polymer solution can include extracts and/orjuices, such as tobacco extracts. Preferably, a chemicallycross-linkable polymer and a non-cross-linkable polymer are used.

In a preferred embodiment, the concentration of the film forming polymersolution is about 0.5 wt % to 20 wt % polymer in the solution. Mostpreferably, the concentration of the film forming polymer solution isabout 1 wt % to 1.5 wt % of the polymer components with the balancebeing water.

The concentration of the polymer solution determines the thickness ofthe coating membrane. The thickness of the coating can in turn affecthow quickly the soluble component of the coating dissolves in a user'smouth. The coating is a moist, gel-like coating when formed and themoistness is preferably retained until use. Preferably, the coated moistsmokeless tobacco product is hermetically sealed in suitable packagingto prevent moisture in the tobacco and coating from evaporating.

If the coating is peeled off of the tobacco product and completelydried, the coating is preferably about 0.02 mm to 1.0 mm thick. Morepreferably, when the coating is completely dried, it is about 0.08 mm to0.14 mm thick. In a most preferred embodiment, the coating whencompletely dried is about 0.11 mm thick. It should be noted that thecoating is not intended to be dried, but rather retains a high moisturecontent.

In a preferred embodiment, the weight of the coating when completelydried is about 0.01 g to about 0.1 g for a coated moist smokelesstobacco product weighing about 2.5 g. More preferably, the weight of thecoating when completely dried is about 0.013 g for a coated moistsmokeless tobacco product weighing about 2.5 g. In contrast, the weightof the coating for a coated moist smokeless tobacco product weighingabout 2.5 g, when the coating is at the preferred moisture content isabout 0.1 g to about 0.2 g, more preferably about 0.15 g.

After coating the tobacco material 16 with the film forming polymersolution, cross-linking is conducted with a cross-linking solutionincluding a monovalent metal ion salt or a bivalent metal ion salt.

Preferably, the cross-linking solution contains a bivalent metal ionsalt. Most preferably, the cross-linking solution includes calciumlactate, which is commonly used in the food industry. In one embodiment,the cross-linking solution is a 2.0 wt % calcium lactate solution. Usingless than 0.5 wt % cross-linking agent will generally not provide enoughcross-linking agent to react with the amounts of cross-linkable polymerincluded in the coating mixture, which tends to result in a weak coatingthat will not provide the pre-portioned product with sufficientstructural integrity for user handling when retrieving the product andpositioning it in the oral cavity. Using more than about 2.0 wt % isunnecessary due to the low amount of cross-linkable polymer present,thereby adding unnecessary cost to the product, and may adversely affectthe flavor of the product.

Alternatively, proteins, such as gelatin, zein, soy protein, riceprotein, and whey protein, can be used to supplement and/or replace thecross-linkable polymers that are cross-linked with monovalent andbivalent metal ion salts. The proteins slowly cross-link with phenolicsand/or aldehydes that are naturally occurring in plant material.

When the gel is applied, its liquid content includes water and/orflavored juices and/or extracts, such as tobacco extracts. Afterapplication, the gel is dried or conditioned during manufacture toreduce the water activity of the gel to a point that is non-conducive tothe growth of microbes. During the drying process, the pure waterevaporates from the gel and is replaced via diffusion with liquid fromthe moist tobacco. For example, when dried, juices from the plantmaterial (including water soluble flavors and compounds from the plantmaterial) transfer (e.g., by diffusion) into and permeates the gelcoating. When the product is placed in the mouth, the extracts andjuices that permeate the gel coating are released into the user's salivathrough syneresis, dissolution, and/or diffusion so as to provide animmediate burst of flavor as opposed to slow, delayed flavor release.

In a preferred embodiment, when drying, the moist smokeless tobaccoproduct 10 is exposed to air or patted dry to evaporate excess moisture.In other embodiments, the moist smokeless tobacco product can be driedin a convection oven. Preferably, the convention oven is heated to about60° C. and care is taken so that the final moist smokeless tobaccoproduct retains about 35% to about 65% moisture. If not dried, thecoating may be watery.

By using both a non-cross-linkable polymer and a cross-linkable polymer,the porosity and strength of the super-hydrated membrane coating can becontrolled. For instance, the dissolution rate of the resultingsuper-hydrated membrane coating 12 can be altered by modifying thespecific proportion of cross-linked to non-cross-linked polymers. In apreferred embodiment, the coating contains 10 to 90 wt % of thecross-linked polymer. Preferably, the proportion of cross-linked polymerin the coating is 60 to 70 wt %.

In another embodiment, the polymer solution and the cross-linkingsolution can be patterned, overprinted, or sprayed onto the tobaccomaterial preform to form a network having a soluble component and aninsoluble component. The polymer solution may include a chemically,cross-linkable polymer and a non-cross-linkable polymer. Alternatively,the polymer solution may include a single chemically, cross-linkablepolymer. When a single polymer is used, the cross-linking solution maybe selectively sprayed to leave some portions of the coatingnon-cross-linked and soluble. The soluble component of the coating maydissolve, leaving a porous network of insoluble component in place tomaintain coherence of the tobacco material 16, while allowing the freeflow of saliva in the user's mouth.

In an embodiment, the process may be automated. For instance, thecoating step may occur via spraying the polymer solution and thecross-linking solution alternately onto a preformed portion of tobaccomaterial 16 to create a cross-linked, thin, super-hydrated membranecoating 12 of a desired thickness.

In an embodiment, tobacco-based polymers may be substituted fornon-tobacco sourced materials in the coating. Flavorful tobaccocompounds may be extracted from the tobacco based material in order tomodify the tobacco flavor character to initial in-mouth experience.However, such extraction is unnecessary.

In one embodiment, additional dissolvable tobacco such as tobaccoextracts or colloidal encapsulated tobacco can be added to the coatingto increase the initial tobacco flavor in the first stages of thedissolution of the super-hydrated membrane coating. The encapsulatedtobacco having dimensions ranging in size from about 500 mesh to about10 mesh can be used as a powder component 20 as described above.

Fillers may be added to the coating to make the coating opaque.Colorants and/or opacifiers may also be added to alter the color of thecoating.

The following examples are exemplary and are not meant to limit anyaspects of the embodiments disclosed herein.

EXAMPLE 1

To form a super-hydrated membrane coating by ionic cross-linking of twobiopolymers, a round bottom flask was charged with 1.0 g alginate, 0.5 gstarch and 98.5 mL of deionized water. The mixture was stirred andheated to about 50° C. to 100° C. to dissolve the biopolymers Thesolution was cooled down to room temperature and then transferred to aplastic pan. 2.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco was first molded into arectangular shape and then dipped into the above described solution. Across-linking solution of 2.0 wt % calcium lactate in water wasprepared. The coating on the moist smokeless tobacco was thencross-linked with the 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution. The sample wasexposed in air to evaporate moisture until the weight of the coatedmoist smokeless tobacco product reached about 2.5 g to 2.8 g.

EXAMPLE 2

To form a super-hydrated membrane coating by ionic cross-linking of twobiopolymers, a round bottom flask was charged with 1.0 g alginate, 0.5 ggum arabic and 98.5 mL of deionized water. The mixture was stirred andheated to about 50° C. to 100° C. to dissolve the biopolymers. Thesolution was cooled down to room temperature and then transferred to aplastic pan. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt % calcium lactate inwater was created. 2.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco was first moldedinto a rectangular shape and then dipped into the above describedsolution. The coating on the moist smokeless tobacco was thencross-linked with the 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution. The sample wasexposed in air to evaporate moisture until the weight of the coatedmoist smokeless tobacco product reached about 2.5 g to 2.8 g.

EXAMPLE 3

To form a super-hydrated membrane coating by ionic cross-linking of twobiopolymers, a round bottom flask was charged with 1.0 g alginate, 0.5 gsoy protein and 98.5 mL of deionized water. The mixture was stirred andheated to about 50° C. to 100° C. to dissolve the biopolymers. Thesolution was cooled down to room temperature and then transferred to aplastic pan. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt % calcium lactate wasprepared. 2.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco was first molded into arectangular shape and then dipped into the above described biopolymersolution. The coating on the moist smokeless tobacco was thencross-linked with the 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution. The sample wasexposed in air to evaporate moisture until the weight of the coatedmoist smokeless tobacco product reached about 2.5 g to 2.8 g.

Prior to drying, a texture component can be added to the moist smokelesstobacco product. Alternatively, the texture component can be added tothe moist smokeless tobacco product during formation of thesuper-hydrated membrane coating or after drying as described in detailbelow.

In a first embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the texture component in theform of the powder component 20 is added to the moist smokeless tobaccoproduct 10. In a preferred embodiment, the powders and/or particlesrange in size from about 500 mesh to about 10 mesh. In one embodiment,the powder component 20 can be disposed under, within or on an outersurface of a first and/or a second layer of super-hydrated membranecoating 12 in an amount of about 0.01 g to about 5.0 g. Preferably, thepowder component 20 comprises particles, either powders or granules orcombinations of these. In an embodiment, the powder can be applied tothe outer surface of the super-hydrated membrane coating, e.g., bydistributing powders, fibers, or granulated solids across the surface ofa wet, newly cast membrane and allowing the membrane to continue tosolidify. However, in other embodiments, the powder can be mixed intothe coating solution and applied as part of the super-hydrated membranecoating 12. In an embodiment, the powder component 20 can be included inthe super-hydrated membrane coating.

The particles that form the powder component 20 can be individualparticles of a powder, or may be granulated solids held together by,e.g. a binder, depending upon the size of the particles and the degreeof texturing or roughness desired in the membrane surface. If thecomposite membrane is formed by in-situ coating of the inner fillingmaterial 16, the resulting moist smokeless tobacco product 10 can have amoist, organic appearance, which appeals to many users of traditionalMST products.

Preferably, the powders used to provide texture to the membrane surfacecan include materials such as natural plant fibers, dietary fibers(e.g., Fibrex 605, Citri-Fi Series 100; 200; 100 FG; 200 FD, and othervegetable and fruit fibers), biopolymers including agar, starch andstarch derivatives, cellulose and cellulose derivatives (e.g., woodbased celluloses and other plant based celluloses and derivativesthereof), chitosan, chitin, and/or other natural proteins,water-insoluble synthetic fibers, tobacco dust, encapsulated tobaccodust, fine cut tobaccos, fibers or particles of silica, dry flavorpowders, in particular water-insoluble dry flavor powders, protein e.g.,whey protein, rice protein, soy protein and/or corn protein), food gradesilica (e.g., TiO₂ and/or other inert edible powdered materials),encapsulated flavors and combinations thereof. Materials such asunencapsulated or encapsulated tobacco powder, fine cut tobaccos, anddry flavor powders are particularly advantageous, since they performmultiple functions in the moist smokeless tobacco product: they providetexturing to the pouch membrane surface, and they interact with theuser's saliva to provide an initial flavor or chemesthetic experiencewhen the oral pouch product is first introduced into the user's mouth.

In other embodiments, the powder component 20 can include dyes orpigments to provide a pleasing saliva color. Also, the powder component20 can include saliva texture modifiers, such as proteolytic enzymes,which act to make saliva less viscous (e.g., bromelain, papain and/orother proteases).

EXAMPLE 4

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is first molded into a predefinedshape. The coating solution comprises about 4% pectin, about 0.15%alginate, about 4% dextrin and balance water, which is stirred andheated to about 50° C. to 100° C. to dissolve the biopolymers Thesolution is cooled down to room temperature and then transferred to aplastic pan. The molded shape of MST is then dipped into the abovedescribed solution. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt % calcium lactatein water is prepared. The coating on the MST is then cross-linked withthe 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution to form a shape of MST having asuper-hydrated membrane coating. Then about 0.02 g of cellulose powderranging in size from about 10 mesh to about 500 mesh is sprinkled ontothe surface of the super-hydrated membrane coating. The sample is thendried at room temperature to remove excess water from the coating.

EXAMPLE 5

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is first molded into a predefinedshape. The coating solution comprises about 4% pectin, about 0.15%alginate, about 4% dextrin and balance water, which is stirred andheated to about 50° C. to 100° C. to dissolve the biopolymers Thesolution is cooled down to room temperature and then transferred to aplastic pan. About 2 g of cellulose powder ranging in size from about 10mesh to about 500 mesh is added as the texture component to about 100 mLof the coating solution. The molded shape of MST is then dipped into theabove described solution. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt % calciumlactate in water is prepared. The coating on the MST is thencross-linked with the 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution to form a shape ofMST having a super-hydrated membrane coating including the powdercomponent as the texture component. The sample is then dried at roomtemperature to remove excess water from the coating.

EXAMPLE 6

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is first molded into a predefinedshape. The coating solution comprises about 4% pectin, about 0.15%alginate, about 4% dextrin and balance water, which is stirred andheated to about 50° C. to 100° C. to dissolve the biopolymers Thesolution is cooled down to room temperature and then transferred to aplastic pan. The molded shape of MST is then dipped into the abovedescribed solution. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt % calcium lactatein water is prepared. The coating on the MST is then cross-linked withthe 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution to form a shape of MST having asuper-hydrated membrane coating. Then about 0.02 g of Starch 465 powderranging in size from about 10 mesh to about 500 mesh (available fromNational Starch & Chemical Company) is sprinkled onto the surface of thesuper-hydrated membrane coating. The sample is then dried at roomtemperature to remove excess water from the coating.

EXAMPLE 7

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is first molded into a predefinedshape. The coating solution comprises about 4% pectin, about 0.15%alginate, about 4% dextrin and balance water, which is stirred andheated to about 50° C. to 100° C. to dissolve the biopolymers Thesolution is cooled down to room temperature and then transferred to aplastic pan. The molded shape of MST is then dipped into the abovedescribed solution. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt % calcium lactatein water is prepared. The coating on the MST is then cross-linked withthe 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution to form a shape of MST having asuper-hydrated membrane coating. Then, about 0.02 g of Chi-Fi® 100FGpowder ranging in size from about 10 mesh to about 500 mesh (availablefrom Fiberstar, Inc.™) is sprinkled onto the surface of thesuper-hydrated membrane coating. The sample is then dried at roomtemperature to remove excess water from the coating.

EXAMPLE 8

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is first molded into a predefinedshape. The coating solution comprises about 4% pectin, about 0.15%alginate, about 4% dextrin and balance water, which is stirred andheated to about 50° C. to 100° C. to dissolve the biopolymers Thesolution is cooled down to room temperature and then transferred to aplastic pan. The molded shape of MST is then dipped into the abovedescribed solution. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt % calcium lactatein water is prepared. The coating on the MST is then cross-linked withthe 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution to form a shape of MST having asuper-hydrated membrane coating. Then, about 0.02 g of Fibrex® 605(available from Danisco A/C) powder ranging in size from about 10 meshto about 500 mesh is sprinkled onto the surface of the super-hydratedmembrane coating. The sample is then dried at room temperature to removeexcess water from the coating.

EXAMPLE 9

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is first molded into a predefinedshape. The coating solution comprises about 4% pectin, about 0.15%alginate, about 4% dextrin and balance water, which is stirred andheated to about 50° C. to 100° C. to dissolve the biopolymers Thesolution is cooled down to room temperature and then transferred to aplastic pan. The molded shape of MST is then dipped into the abovedescribed solution. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt % calcium lactatein water is prepared. The coating on the MST is then cross-linked withthe 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution to form a shape of MST having asuper-hydrated membrane coating. Then, about 0.02 g of rice proteinpowder ranging in size from about 10 mesh to about 500 mesh is sprinkledonto the surface of the super-hydrated membrane coating. The sample isthen dried at room temperature to remove excess water from the coating.

EXAMPLE 10

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is first molded into a predefinedshape. The coating solution comprises about 4% pectin, about 0.15%alginate, about 4% dextrin and balance water, which is stirred andheated to about 50° C. to 100° C. to dissolve the biopolymers Thesolution is cooled down to room temperature and then transferred to aplastic pan. The molded shape of MST is then dipped into the abovedescribed solution. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt % calcium lactatein water is prepared. The coating on the MST is then cross-linked withthe 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution to form a shape of MST having asuper-hydrated membrane coating. Then, about 0.02 g of soy proteinpowder ranging in size from about 10 mesh to about 500 mesh is sprinkledonto the surface of the super-hydrated membrane coating. The sample isthen dried at room temperature to remove excess water from the coating.

EXAMPLE 11

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is first molded into a predefinedshape. The coating solution comprises about 4% pectin, about 0.15%alginate, about 4% dextrin and balance water, which is stirred andheated to about 50° C. to 100° C. to dissolve the biopolymers Thesolution is cooled down to room temperature and then transferred to aplastic pan. The molded shape of MST is then dipped into the abovedescribed solution. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt % calcium lactatein water is prepared. The coating on the MST is then cross-linked withthe 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution to form a shape of MST having asuper-hydrated membrane coating. Then, about 0.02 g of food grade silicapowder ranging in size from about 10 mesh to about 500 mesh is sprinkledonto the surface of super-hydrated membrane coating. The sample is thendried at room temperature to remove excess water from the coating.

EXAMPLE 12

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is first molded into a predefinedshape. The coating solution comprises about 4% pectin, about 0.15%alginate, about 4% dextrin and balance water, which is stirred andheated to about 50° C. to 100° C. to dissolve the biopolymers Thesolution is cooled down to room temperature and then transferred to aplastic pan. The molded shape of MST is then dipped into the abovedescribed solution. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt % calcium lactatein water is prepared. The coating on the MST is then cross-linked withthe 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution to form a shape of MST having asuper-hydrated membrane coating. Then, about 0.02 g of tobacco powderranging in size from about 10 mesh to about 500 mesh is sprinkled ontothe surface of the super-hydrated membrane coating. The sample is thendried at room temperature to remove excess water from the coating.

EXAMPLE 13

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is first molded into a predefinedshape. The coating solution comprises about 4% pectin, about 0.15%alginate, about 4% dextrin and balance water, which is stirred andheated to about 50° C. to 100° C. to dissolve the biopolymers Thesolution is cooled down to room temperature and then transferred to aplastic pan. The molded shape of MST is then dipped into the abovedescribed solution. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt % calcium lactatein water is prepared. The coating on the MST is then cross-linked withthe 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution to form a shape of MST having asuper-hydrated membrane coating. Then, about 0.02 g of encapsulatedtobacco powder ranging in size from about 10 mesh to about 500 mesh issprinkled onto the surface of the super-hydrated membrane. The sample isthen dried at room temperature to remove excess water from the coating.

EXAMPLE 14

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is first molded into a predefinedshape. The coating solution comprises about 4% pectin, about 0.15%alginate, about 4% dextrin and balance water, which is stirred andheated to about 50° C. to 100° C. to dissolve the biopolymers Thesolution is cooled down to room temperature and then transferred to aplastic pan. The molded shape of MST is then dipped into the abovedescribed solution. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt % calcium lactatein water is prepared. The coating on the MST is then cross-linked withthe 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution to form a shape of MST having asuper-hydrated membrane coating. Then, about 0.02 g of fine cut snufftobacco is sprinkled onto the surface of the super-hydrated membranecoating. The sample is then dried at room temperature to remove excesswater from the coating.

EXAMPLE 15

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is first molded into a predefinedshape. The coating solution comprises about 4% pectin, about 0.15%alginate, about 4% dextrin and balance water, which is stirred andheated to about 50° C. to 100° C. to dissolve the biopolymers Thesolution is cooled down to room temperature and then transferred to aplastic pan. The molded shape of MST is then dipped into the abovedescribed solution. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt % calcium lactatein water is prepared. The coating on the moist smokeless tobacco is thencross-linked with the 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution to form a shape ofMST having a super-hydrated membrane coating. Then, about 0.02 g ofencapsulated biopolymer powder ranging in size from about 10 mesh toabout 500 mesh (e.g., agar, starch derivatives, cellulose derivatives,chitosan, chitin, other natural proteins, food grade inert powderedmaterials, and/or encapsulated flavorants) is sprinkled onto the surfaceof the super-hydrated membrane coating to form. The sample is then driedat room temperature to remove excess water from the coating.

In a second embodiment, as shown in FIG. 2, the texture componentcomprises a polymer (second) layer 22, including at least onewater-dissolvable polymer formed on a surface of the super-hydratedmembrane coating 12. The polymer layer 22 can be flavored or unflavored.Preferably, the polymer layer 22 is applied onto an outer surface of thesuper-hydrated membrane coating 12 (first layer). Also preferably, thepolymer layer 22 provides a water dissolvable membrane layer, whichprovides a desirable sticky texture that increases friction when themoist smokeless tobacco product 10 is placed in the user's mouth. Sincethe polymer layer is not cross-linked, the water soluble polymers usedto form the polymer layer cause the second layer to be sticky, therebyincreasing friction when placed in the mouth and creating texture on thesurface of the MST product 10. The increased friction improves in-mouthcontrol and the ability to place the product 10 in the mouth withoutworry about movement during use.

Suitable polymer layers 22 can be formed using a second coating solutioncomprising at least one polymer and water. Preferably, the polymersolutions comprises a water-soluble polymer. Preferred polymers include,without limitation, modified starch, dextrin, pullulan, pectin, andcombinations thereof. The polymers can be included in the solution in anamount of about 0.1% to about 60% by weight based on the weight of thecoating 22. As with the super-hydrated membrane coating 12, theconcentration of the polymers in the second coating solution can affectthe density of the polymer coating 22.

The second coating solution can be applied to the coated moist smokelesstobacco product by spraying or pouring the second solution onto thetobacco product or by dipping the tobacco product into the secondsolution.

In a preferred embodiment, the polymer coating 22 can include aflavorant. The flavorant can be the same or different from flavorantsused in the first coating 12 or in the tobacco material 16. Theflavorant can be included in the polymer coating 22 in an amount ofabout 0.1% to about 20% by weight based on the weight of the polymercoating 22.

In other embodiments, colorants can be added to the first and/or secondcoatings to color the product prior to placement in a user's mouth andto color spit during use.

After applying the polymer coating 22, the moist smokeless tobaccoproduct 10 can be dried at room temperature or in a convection oven toremove excess moisture from the coatings 12, 22. However, it ispreferred that the tobacco material 16 contained in the moist smokelesstobacco product 10 retain at least about 35% to about 65% moisture, andmore preferably about 50% to about 55% moisture after drying.

EXAMPLE 16

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is molded into a predefined shapeand then dipped into a coating solution comprising about 4% pectin,0.15% alginate and 4% dextrin. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt %calcium lactate in water is prepared. The coating on the moist smokelesstobacco is then cross-linked with the 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution toform a shape of MST having a super-hydrated membrane coating. A polymercoating is then formed on an outer surface of the super-hydratedmembrane coating by dipping the coated MST into a second polymersolution comprising about 38% Purity Gum 59 (modified starch fromNational Starch & Chemical Company) or pouring the second polymersolution over the coated MST. The sample is then dried at roomtemperature to remove excess water from the coating.

EXAMPLE 17

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is molded into a predefined shapeand then dipped into a coating solution comprising about 4% pectin,0.15% alginate and 4% dextrin. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt %calcium lactate in water is prepared. The coating on the moist smokelesstobacco is then cross-linked with the 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution toform a shape of MST having a super-hydrated membrane coating. A polymercoating is then formed on an outer surface of the super-hydratedmembrane coating by dipping the coated MST into a second polymersolution comprising about 50% dextrin or pouring the second polymersolution over the coated MST. The sample is then dried at roomtemperature to remove excess water from the coating.

EXAMPLE 18

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is molded into a predefined shapeand then dipped into a coating solution comprising about 4% pectin,0.15% alginate and 4% dextrin. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt %calcium lactate in water is prepared. The coating on the moist smokelesstobacco is then cross-linked with the 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution toform a shape of MST having a super-hydrated membrane coating. A polymercoating is then formed on an outer surface of the super-hydratedmembrane coating by dipping the coated MST into a second polymersolution comprising about 17% pullulan or pouring the second polymersolution over the coated MST. The sample is then dried at roomtemperature to remove excess water from the coating.

EXAMPLE 19

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is molded into a predefined shapeand then dipped into a coating solution comprising about 4% pectin,0.15% alginate and 4% dextrin. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt %calcium lactate in water is prepared. The coating on the moist smokelesstobacco is then cross-linked with the 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution toform a shape of MST having a super-hydrated membrane coating. A polymercoating is then formed on an outer surface of the super-hydratedmembrane coating by dipping the coated MST into a second polymersolution comprising about 4% low molecular weight pectin (e.g., a pectinhaving a molecular weight of about 500 to about 5000 Mw) or pouring thesecond polymer solution over the coated MST. The sample is then dried atroom temperature to remove excess water from the coating.

EXAMPLE 20

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is molded into a predefined shapeand then dipped into a coating solution comprising about 4% pectin,0.15% alginate and 4% dextrin. A cross-linking solution of 2.0 wt %calcium lactate in water is prepared. The coating on the moist smokelesstobacco is then cross-linked with the 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution toform a shape of MST having a super-hydrated membrane coating. A polymercoating is then formed on an outer surface of the super-hydratedmembrane coating by dipping the coated MST into a second polymersolution comprising about 17% pullulan and a strawberry flavorant in anamount effective to flavor the coating. The sample is then dried at roomtemperature to remove excess water from the coating.

In a third embodiment, the texture component added to the super-hydratedmembrane coating can be a pre-cross-linking agent. Suitablepre-cross-linking agents include, without limitation, cross-linkingagents described above and used to form the insoluble component (in anoutward to inward direction) of the super-hydrated membrane coating.

To pre-cross-link the super-hydrated membrane coating, apre-cross-linking agent can be added to the first coating solution (thecoating solution used to form the super-hydrated membrane coating 12).While the super-hydrated membrane coating 12 is cross-linked afterformation, due to the fast rate of gelation between the cross-linkablepolymer and the cross-linking agent, it is believed that thecross-linking agent may not be able to diffuse through the thickness ofthe coating, thereby leaving the internal portion uncross-linked. Thelack of full cross-linking throughout the membrane coating can causeweak membrane and increased slipperiness of the product.

Thus, by including a pre-cross-linking agent in the coating solution,cross-linking initially occurs from an inward to outward direction. Thelater addition of a second cross-linking agent after formation of themembrane coating provides cross-linking in the outward to inwarddirection. Thus, the membrane coating is fully cross-linked to form astronger and less slippery (less soluble) coating.

EXAMPLE 21

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is first molded into a predefinedshape. The MST is then dipped into a 90° C. solution comprising about 4%pectin and about 0.5% calcium lactate as the pre-cross-linking agent.After removing the sample from the solution and cooling, the sample isdried at room temperature to remove excess water from the coating.

EXAMPLE 22

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is first molded into a predefinedshape. The MST is then dipped into a 90° C. solution comprising about 4%alginate and about 0.5% calcium lactate as the pre-cross-linking agent.After removing the sample from the solution and cooling, the sample isdried at room temperature to remove excess water from the coating.

EXAMPLE 23

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is first molded into a predefinedshape. The MST is then dipped into a 90° C. solution comprising about 4%pectin and about 0.5% calcium lactate as the pre-cross-linking agent. Across-linking solution of 2.0 wt % calcium lactate in water wasprepared. The coating on the moist smokeless tobacco is thencross-linked with the 2.0 wt % cross-linking solution. After removingthe sample and cooling, the sample is dried at room temperature toremove excess water from the coating.

EXAMPLE 24

About 1.5 g of moist smokeless tobacco is first molded into a predefinedshape. The MST is then dipped into a 90° C. solution comprising about 4%agar and about 0.5% calcium lactate as the pre-cross-linking agent.After removing the sample and cooling, the sample is dried at roomtemperature to remove excess water from the coating.

In a fourth embodiment, the texture component is added to thesuper-hydrated membrane coating 12 in the form of fibers, cords and/orstrips within, under and/or on an outer surface of the super-hydratedmembrane coating 12. The fibers, cords and/or strips can be applied tothe super-hydrated membrane coating 12 before and/or after drying.Preferably, the fibers, cords and/or strips can be placed around themolded moist smokeless tobacco material prior to coating and/or duringcoating. For example, the fibers, cords and/or strips may be added tothe coating solution so that when the MST is coated, the fibers, cordsand/or strips adhere to the MST along with the super-hydrated membranecoating. Alternatively, the fibers, cords and/or strips can be placedaround the moist smokeless tobacco product after formation of thesuper-hydrated membrane coating.

In an embodiment, the fibers, cords and/or strips can be affixed to themoist smokeless tobacco product 10 using a food-grade adhesive. Suitablefood-grade adhesives can include at least one polymer. In otherembodiments, the super-hydrated membrane coating 12 can aide in affixingthe fibers, cords and/or strips to the tobacco product 10. Afteraffixing the fibers, cords and/or strips to the MST product, the MSTproduct can be coated. Alternatively, the fibers, cords and/or stripscan be affixed after coating.

In a preferred embodiment, the fibers, cords and/or strips are formed oftobacco fibers, vegetable fibers, fruit fibers, herb fibers, syntheticpolymers, and/or natural polymers,

Suitable synthetic polymers for use in forming particles, fibers, cordsand/or strips include, without limitation, polyethylene, polypropylene,nylon, polyvinyl alcohol, polyethylene tetrapthalate,poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol), polylactide, polyglycolic acid,polyethylene glycol, polycaprolactone and polyhydroxyalkanoate,

Suitable natural polymers for use in forming particles, fibers, cordsand/or strips include, without limitation, starch, cellulose, pectin,alginate and the like.

As shown in FIG. 3, the tobacco product 10 can include a single fiber,cord and/or strip 24. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the tobacco product caninclude multiple fibers, cords and/or strips.

The fibers, cords and/or strips can be formed of various widths andlengths. For example, the fibers, cords and/or strips can have a widthand/or a length ranging from about 0.01 mm to about 5.0 mm. In addition,the fibers, cords and/or strips can be placed across the tobacco producton a single side or on multiple sides. The fiber cords and/or strips canlay diagonally across the tobacco product 10 or straight across thelength and/or width of the tobacco product 10. In an embodiment, fibercords and/or strips are arranged in multiple directions over the surfaceof the super-hydrated membrane coating. In other embodiments, the fibercords and/or strips are placed in a uniform and/or random position onthe surface of the super-hydrated membrane coating. In an embodiment,the fibers, cords and/or strips can form a pattern on the surface of themoist smokeless tobacco product 10.

In other embodiments, the tobacco product 10 can include multipletexture components. For example, as shown in FIG. 6, the tobacco product10 can include a powder component 20 and fibers, cords and/or strips 24.Alternatively, the tobacco product 10 can include a second coatinglayer, powder and/or fibers, cords and/or strips. In yet anotherembodiment, the tobacco product 10 can include pre-cross-linking, asecond coating, a powder component and/or fibers, cords and/or strips.

In this specification, the word “about” is often used in connection withnumerical values to indicate that mathematical precision of such valuesis not intended. Accordingly, it is intended that where “about” is usedwith a numerical value, a tolerance of 10% is contemplated for thatnumerical value.

While the foregoing describes in detail moist smokeless tobacco productsand methods of forming moist smokeless tobacco products with referenceto specific embodiments thereof, it will be apparent to one skilled inthe art that various changes and modifications and equivalents to themoist smokeless tobacco products and methods of forming moist smokelesstobacco products may be employed, which do not materially depart fromthe spirit and scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:
 1. A moist smokeless tobacco product for oral usecomprising: a shaped piece of tobacco material including asemi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating that is coated on aportion an outer surface of the shaped piece of tobacco material, thesemi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating comprising: (a) asoluble, non-cross-linked component; and (b) an insoluble, cross-linkedcomponent; wherein the insoluble, cross-linked component of thesemi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating is configured tocreate a porous network after the soluble, non-cross-linked componentdissolves in a user's mouth during oral use of the moist smokelesstobacco product; and a first texture component, wherein the firsttexture component comprises a powder component within, under, and/or onthe semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating, the powdercomponent comprising one or more powders; wherein the powder componentincreases friction between an outer surface of the moist smokelesstobacco product and a user's mouth during oral use of the moistsmokeless tobacco product.
 2. The moist smokeless tobacco product ofclaim 1, wherein said soluble, non-cross-linked component comprises anon-cross-linkable polymer selected from the group consisting of starch,dextrin, gum arabic, guar gum, chitosan, cellulose, polyvinyl alcohol,polylactide, gelatin, soy protein, whey protein and combinationsthereof.
 3. The moist smokeless tobacco product of claim 1, wherein saidinsoluble, cross-linked component comprises a cross-linking agent and across-linkable polymer selected from the group consisting of alginate,pectin, carrageenan, modified polysaccharides with cross-linkablefunctional groups and combinations thereof.
 4. The moist smokelesstobacco product of claim 3, wherein said cross-linkable polymer is achemically cross-linkable polymer.
 5. The moist smokeless tobaccoproduct of claim 1, wherein (a) the semi-dissolvable, super-hydratedmembrane coating and/or said tobacco material further comprises at leastone additive selected from the group consisting of flavorants,sweeteners, preservatives, nutraceuticals, antioxidants, amino acids,minerals, vitamins, botanical extracts, humectants, colorants,chemesthetic agents and combinations thereof and/or (b) the tobaccomaterial further comprises a supplemental amount of tobacco substitutematerial selected from the group consisting of fruit fibers andparticles, vegetable fibers and particles, plant fibers and particlesand combinations thereof to the tobacco material.
 6. The moist smokelesstobacco product of claim 1, wherein the tobacco material is completelydisintegrable in the mouth.
 7. The moist smokeless tobacco product ofclaim 1, wherein the tobacco material comprises moist smokeless tobaccohaving a moisture content of about 35% to about 65%.
 8. The moistsmokeless tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the tobacco materialcomprises moist smokeless tobacco having a water activity of about 0.85aw to about 0.86 aw.
 9. The moist smokeless tobacco product of claim 1,further comprising a second texture component wherein the second texturecomponent comprises at least one strip that increases friction betweenthe outer surface of the moist smokeless tobacco product and a user'smouth during oral use of the moist smokeless tobacco product.
 10. Themoist smokeless tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the bulk density ofthe super-hydrated membrane coating is about 1.0±0.2 g/cm³.
 11. Themoist smokeless tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the shaped piece oftobacco material has a length of up to about 1.5 inch, a width of up toabout 0.75 inch and a height of up to about 1 inch and wherein theshaped of tobacco material weighs about 0.5 g to about 3.0 g.
 12. Themoist smokeless tobacco product of claim 1, wherein thesemi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating has a moisture contentof about 10% to about 50%.
 13. The moist smokeless tobacco product ofclaim 1, wherein the soluble, non-cross-linked component and theinsoluble, cross-linked component are dissolved in water and/or tobaccojuices.
 14. A method of making a moist smokeless tobacco productcomprising: coating a portion of an outer surface of a shaped piece oftobacco material with a semi-dissolvable super-hydrated membrane coatingcomprising a soluble, non-cross-linked component; and an insoluble,cross-linked component; drying the semi-dissolvable super-hydratedmembrane coating; and adding a first texture component to the moistsmokeless tobacco product before, during, and/or after the drying of thesemi-dissolvable super-hydrated membrane coating, wherein the firsttexture component is a powder component within, under, and/or on thesemi-dissolvable super-hydrated membrane coating, the powder componentincluding one or more powders, wherein the powder component increasesfriction between an outer surface of the moist smokeless tobacco productand a user's mouth during oral use of the moist smokeless tobaccoproduct.
 15. The method of claim 14, wherein the drying of thesemi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating releases water fromthe semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating, such that juicesof the tobacco material enter the semi-dissolvable, super-hydratedmembrane coating.
 16. The moist smokeless tobacco product of claim 1,wherein said shaped piece of tobacco material is in the configuration ofa rectangle that weighs about 2.5 to 3.0 g.
 17. The method of claim 14,wherein the shaped piece of tobacco material is in the configuration ofa rectangle that weighs about 2.5 to 3.0 g.
 18. The moist smokelesstobacco product of claim 1, wherein the powder component includes asaliva texture modifier including a proteolytic enzyme.
 19. The moistsmokeless tobacco product of claim 18, wherein the proteolytic enzyme isbromelain, papain, or a combination of bromelain and papain.
 20. Themoist smokeless tobacco product of claim 1, wherein: (a) the powdercomponent is included in an amount of about 0.01 g to about 5 g; (b) thesize of individual particles of the one or more powders is about 500mesh to about 10 mesh; (c) the one or more powders of the powdercomponent are held together by a binder; (d) the powder componentincludes dyes or pigments configured to provide a pleasing saliva color;(e) the shaped piece of tobacco material has a sphere, rectangle,oblong, crescent shape, oval, or cube shape; (f) the outer surface ofthe semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membrane coating includes at leastone water-dissolvable polymer layer; and/or (g) the semi-dissolvable,super-hydrated membrane coating includes at least one pre-cross-linkingagent.
 21. The moist smokeless tobacco product of claim 1, wherein theone or more powders of the powder component include: (a) at least onepowder selected from the group consisting of powders of natural plantfibers, herb fibers, water-insoluble synthetic fibers, dietary fibers,fruit fibers, vegetable fibers, fibers of water-insoluble hydrophilicbiopolymers, and fibers of silica; (b) at least one powder selected fromthe group consisting of powders of water-insoluble hydrophilicbiopolymers particles, silica particles, polyethylene particles,polypropylene particles, nylon particles, polyvinyl alcohol particles,polyethylene tetrapthalate particles, poly(ethylene-co-vinyl alcohol)particles, polylactide particles, polyglycolic acid particles,polyethylene glycol particles, polycaprolactone particles, andpolyhydroxyalkanoate particles; (c) at least one powder selected fromthe group consisting of powders of agar, starch, starch derivatives,cellulose, cellulose derivatives chitosan, and chitin; and/or (d) atleast one powder selected from the group consisting of powders of wheyprotein, rice protein, soy protein, and corn protein.
 22. The moistsmokeless tobacco product of claim 21, wherein the powder componentfurther includes: (a) at least one tobacco powder selected from thegroup consisting of unencapsulated tobacco powder, encapsulated tobaccopowder, tobacco dust, encapsulated tobacco dust, and/or fine cuttobacco; and/or (b) at least one flavorant, encapsulated flavorant, dryflavor powder; and/or water-insoluble dry flavor powder.
 23. The moistsmokeless tobacco product of claim 1, wherein the semi-dissolvable,super-hydrated membrane coating coats the entire shaped piece of tobaccomaterial so as to fully enclose the shaped piece of tobacco material.24. The method of claim 14, further comprising: (a) shaping the shapedpiece of tobacco material into a sphere, rectangle, oblong, crescent,oval or cube shape prior to coating the shaped piece of tobaccomaterial; (b) coating the entire shaped piece of the tobacco material;(c) adding a polymer layer on an outer surface of the semi-dissolvable,super-hydrated membrane coating comprising at least onewater-dissolvable coating; and/or (d) adding at least onepre-cross-linking agent to the semi-dissolvable, super-hydrated membranecoating.
 25. The method of claim 14, further comprising adding a secondtexture component to the moist smokeless tobacco product before, during,and/or after the drying of the semi-dissolvable super-hydrated membranecoating, wherein the second texture component comprises at least onestrip that increases friction between the outer surface of the moistsmokeless tobacco product and a user's mouth during oral use of themoist smokeless tobacco product.